Porcello has tossed six scoreless innings of three-hit ball as the Tigers have built a 5-0 lead over the Texas Rangers heading into the seventh inning Thursday night.

Porcello gave up a single to his second batter, Elvis Andrus, but held Texas hitless for the next four innings before Luis Sardinas hit a leadoff single in the sixth. He has struck out five and walked three.

The Tigers chased Rangers starter Nick Martinez in the third inning after he issued his season-high fifth walk to No. 9 hitter Eugenio Suarez to load the bases. He was replaced by right-hander Scott Baker, who gave up an RBI single to Ian Kinsler.

Austin Jackson added a two-run single in the third and J.D. Martinez's career-high-tying third sacrifice fly in the fourth gave Detroit a 5-0 lead.